EXAM QUESTION

Stimulus Exam Question (June 2010)Study the following two passages and answer the questions that follow.Source: 1 A Cabinet Meeting• The Prime Minister's Spokesman began by giving a brief summary of Cabinet of the previous day to the

assembled press. Cabinet had met for an hour and 40 minutes that morning. There had been the usual update from Geoff Hoon (Leader of the House of Commons) on parliamentary business, there had been a brief discussion on the Draft LEgislative Programme being published tomorrow and there was an update from the Foreign Secretary on the situation in Burma. Most of the Cabinet was spent discussing the economy in a discussion led by the Chancellor of the Exhequer, where he emphasised the global nature of the economic situation we were facing at the moment - not only the global credit crunch but also rising oil and food prices.

• Source: Prime Minister's Office press briefing, 14 May 2008Source 2: Gordon Brown's First Cabinet• Gordon Brown unveiled an almost completely new Cabinet today as he attempted to make good on his

pledge for a 'politics of change' after the Blair years, including Britain's first ever female Home Secretary and its youngest Foreign Secretary for 30 years. As part of a huge overhaul, the Prime Minister appointed Jacqui Smith, formerly the Chief Whip, as Home Secretary, and David Miliband as Foreign Secretary. As head of the Home Ofice, Ms Smith will be in charge of the battle against terrorism, national security and policing. Standing outside the Foreign Office, Mr Miliband - who was himself widely tipped as Mr Brown's rival for the Labout leadership, before ruling himself out - said: "I'm tremendously honoured".

• Source: adapted from "Brown shuffles the pack for new Cabinet" in Times Online, 28 June 2007• Adapted from Report of the Commission to Strengthen Parliament.

Stimulus Exam Question (June 2010)

• Question 1• a) With reference to Source 1, describe two types

of issues discueed by the Cabinet. (5 marks)• b) With reference to Source 2, and your own

knowledge,what factors does the Prime Minister take into account when appointing cabinet ministers? (10 marks)

• c) To what extent is the Cabinet an important body? (25 marks)

Essay Exam Question (January 2010)To what extent does the prime minister

dominate the UK political system? [40 marks]

40 marks = 40 minutes

• Plan• Introduction• 3-4 points/arguments• Conclusion• Read over and check your work